Page 94 of Hidden Echoes

Minutes later, another question.

“Does she stay with him?” He gestures to Charlotte, who’s having an awkward dinner with the guy.

"I have no idea! I’m just as clueless as you—first time watching too!"

“Oh.”

I laugh, throwing my head back. “You’re actually watching, huh?”

He doesn’t answer. He just crosses his arms again and pretends not to care.

The episode ends, and as the credits roll, I turn to him with a mischievous smile. “Do you want me to go back to the beginning?”

Zane immediately shakes his head. “No.”

I narrow my eyes. “Are you sure? You seem pretty invested.”

“I’m not.”

“Really?” I tilt my head. “So if I turn it off now, you won’t be left wondering if Carrie will finally get over Big?”

He opens his mouth to respond but hesitates, then frowns deeper. “I don’t care.”

I bite my lip to suppress a laugh. “Okay then.” I grab the remote and pretend to turn off the TV.

Silence.

I glance at him from the corner of my eye and see him frozen, trying to pretend he doesn’t care. But his gaze is locked on the screen, as if he’s still processing the last scene.

I smile slowly. “I think I’ll let one more go.”

Zane doesn’t say anything. He just leans back on the couch, grabs some popcorn from my bowl, and keeps watching.

The next episode begins, and this time, Zane doesn’t bother pretending he’s not watching. He’s not holding his sketchbook anymore, not looking away like he has something more important to do. He just... accepts it.

And I love it.

At first, he reacts quietly—a groan when Carrie messes up, an eye roll when Big opens his mouth. But when Samantha appears on screen, dressed to the nines and delivering one of her iconic lines, Zane lets out a real laugh.

I turn to him immediately. “You laughed.”

He shakes his head but wears that almost-smirk that gives him away. “She’s funny.”

My eyes narrow. “You like her.”

He shrugs. “She’s the only sensible one here.”

I clap my hands like I’ve won the lottery. “Yes! Exactly! She’s the best! She doesn’t have time for this nonsense, she just lives her life!”

He nods slowly, considering. “And she can’t stand unnecessary drama.”

“She really can’t handle it!” I point at the screen. “She’s the only one who says what needs to be said, and I respect her for that.”

“She is my favorite.”

My mouth drops open. “Zane, that was so fast.”

He glances at me from the corner of his eye. “She deserved it.”

---